Portland Cheat Sheet
Free (& Cheap) Events in Southern Maine
York County - Portland Metro to Bath - Lakes Region - Lewiston/Auburn
September 21-27, 2023

Free this week: First Ever VanLife Festival, Latino Food Fest, Shaker Hill Apple Fest, Silly Oktoberfest Contests, Medical THC Cards, Maine Mall Carnival, 'Cast & Blast' Fish + Shoot, Break Dancing Sessions, Mineral ID Day, and a Local Artists Mixer in Lisbon Falls.
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Thursday, September 21
Intro to Hunting with Shotguns, 9 am-1 pm, Norway Rd., Harrison
Coffee with Community, 10-11 am, Comm Ctr, Yarmouth
Library Book Sale, (ends 9/24), 10 am-5 pm, Library, Freeport
Weekly Naloxone Training + Distribution, 11 am-12 pm, Recovery Ctr, Portland
Great Falls Forum with Dempsey Cancer Center, 12-1 pm, Library, Lewiston
Away: Farmington Fair- $5 Senior Day, 12-7 pm, Farmington
1st Annual Maine VanLife Meetup Festival, 12-11:55 pm, Urban Farm Fermentory, Portland
Music: Kneller-Bernier Duo, 12:15-1 pm, Library, Portland
Backstage Pipes Tour, 2 & 2:45 pm, Merrill Aud., Portland
Land Trust Trail Workday, 3-5 pm, Fuller Forest, York
Art Opening: Hashi-Maine, Block Prints by Kids, 3:30-5:30 pm, Greely Ctr, Cumberland
Selected Poems of Hilde Domin, 4-5 pm, Jewish Musm, Portland
Smokey's Greater Shows Kickoff to Fall Fair, 4-10 pm, Mill Park, Augusta
The Case For/Against Establishing Pine Tree Power, 4:30-5:45 pm, Bowdoin, Brunswick
For New Educators, 'What I Wish I Knew' (+ free food), 4:30-6:30 pm, Mast Landing, Westbrook
Professional Networking Fall Mixer, 4:30-7 pm, Apres, Portland
Guided Walk at North Deering Park, 5-6 pm, Ballpark Dr., Portland
Chamber Happy Hour, 5-6:30 pm, Lisbon St., Lewiston
After Hours Chamber w the Heritage Cultural Center, 5-7 pm, Comm Ctr, Biddeford
Fall Equinox Drum Circle & Autumnal Qi Gong, 5-7 pm, Common, Westbrook
Third Thursdays at the Art Museum, ($5), 5-8 pm, Portland
The Maine Mall Carnival, 5-10 pm, Maine Mall Rd., South Portland
Free Community Meal, 5:30-6 pm, St. Ann, Windham
Meditation Class on World Gratitude Day, 5:45-6:15 pm, Daily Sweat, Kennebunk
Savvy Women Invest on Purpose, 6 pm, City Farmhouse, Portland
Bingo Night, ($0-3), 6-7 pm, Town Hall, Buxton
Cribbage Night, 6-8 pm, Elements, Biddeford
Older LGBTQ+ Dinner, ($8D), 6-8 pm, Casco St., Portland
Runaways Run Club, 6-8 pm, Foundation Brewing, Portland
Bowhunter Safety Course, 6:30 pm, Gardiner
‘One Meditation' Buddhist Scholar/Monk Talk, 6:30-8 pm, State St., Portland
Movie: An Evening with David Baldacci, 6:45-8:30 pm, Library, Kennebunkport
Movie: Wild Style, 7 pm, Space, Portland
Author talk: Richard Foerster's Poetry, 7-8 pm, Back Cove Books, Portland
Theater: POTUS, (paywhatudecide), 7:30 pm, Mad Horse, South Portland
Virtual Events
Pitch 101- How to Talk About Your Business, 12-1 pm
Preserving Meat, ($5D), 1-1:45 pm
Pathway to an Ecology-Based Future, (hybrid), 6:30-8 pm
Friday, September 22
The Maine Event- State Championship Horse Show, 8 am-Evening, Fairgrounds, Skowhegan
Age 50+ Resource Fair, 9 am-12 pm, Comm Ctr, South Portland
Disabled Free Admission to Common Ground Fair, (preregister), 9 am-6 pm, Unity
Free Med Cards + CBD Samples, 10 am-6 pm, Maine Only Medical, Bridgton
Air National Guard Flyover for Veterans Lost to Suicide, (Auburn: 11:06 am, Portland 11:13 am, Brunswick 11:18)
$5 Book Sale at Maine Military Museum, (ends 9/24), 11 am-5 pm, South Portland
Smokey's Greater Shows Kickoff to Fall Fair, 1-10 pm, Mill Park, Augusta
Talk: Pacific Coast Highway, 2 & 7 pm, Sawyer Fndtn, Greene
Away: Trails End Festival + Music, Food, 2-6:30 pm, Millinocket
Author talk with Colin Sargent, 5 pm, Library, Old Orchard
Art Opening: 50 Years of Alison Hildreth, 5-7 pm, Speedwell, Portland
The Maine Mall Carnival, 5-11 pm, Maine Mall Rd., South Portland
Opening + Artist Talk: Daniel Minter, A Blue, 5:30-7 pm, Lisbon St., Lewiston
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation + Talk, (hybrid), 5:45-8 pm, State St., Portland
Oktoberfest Trivia with Prizes, 6 pm, Austin St. Brewery, Portland
Music: Shanna Underwood, ($5D), 6:30-8 pm, Elements, Biddeford
Outdoor movie: Pet Semetary, 6:30-8 pm, Congress Sq. Prk, Portland
Beach Party Blow Out- 3 Bands + DJ, 7 pm, Spring Pt Tavern, South Portland
Outdoor music: Darlin' Corey, ($15D), 7 pm, Conant Homestead, Westbrook
Singles Dance Party, 7:30 pm, Bubba's, Portland
Theater: POTUS, (paywhatudecide), 7:30 pm, Mad Horse, South Portland
Music: Melissa Haslett, Soprano, (hybrid), 7:30-9 pm, Bates, Lewiston
Music: TimeZones, 7:30-9 pm, Bowdoin, Brunswick
WMPG's 50th Bday Off Air Dance Party, 9 pm-12 am, Urban Farm Ferm., Portland
Saturday, September 23
The Maine Event- State Championship Horse Show, 8 am-Evening, Fairgrounds, Skowhegan
Migratory Bird Walk, ($5), 8-10 am, Black Pt Rd., Scarborough
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation + Talk, (hybrid), 8:45 am-3 pm, State St., Portland
Loop & Lunch Bike Ride, 9 am, Wells
Watch: Dog Scent Work Trials, 9 am, Huntress Ave., Westbrook
Weekly Timed Parkrun, 9 am, Eastern Trail, Biddeford
Church Yard Sale, 9 am-2 pm, Washington Ave., Portland
Craft Fair, 9 am-2 pm, Lodge 55, Alfred
Craft & Vendor Fair, 9 am-2 pm, Grange 53, Saco
Fall Craft Fair, 9 am-2 pm, Veterans Ctr, Windham
Fall Craft/Vendor Fair, 9 am-2 pm, Legion, Brunswick
Pollinator Bioblitz, 9 am-2 pm, Hinkley Park, South Portland
Kids: 'Cast & Blast' Fishing & Shooting Day, 9 am-2:30 pm, Buckfield Rd., Paris
Stream Explorers Citizen Science Workshop, 9 am-3 pm, Trout Brk Prsve, Alna
Beautiful Blackbird Book Fest at the Kid's Museum, ($1), 9 am-4 pm, Thompsons Pt Rd, Portland
Away: Chalk Walk 2023, 9 am-5 pm, Belfast
Library Book Sale, 9 am-5 pm, Library, Scarborough
Disabled Free to Common Ground Fair, (preregister), 9 am-6 pm, Unity
Away: Trails End Festival, 9 am-9 pm, Millinocket
Out of the Darkness Walk to Fight Suicide, 10 am, Ft. Allen Park, Portland
Guided Walk at Underwood Springs Forest, 10-11 am, Falmouth
Acorns Introduction, 10-11:30 am, Evergreen Cem, Portland
Maple Hill Farms Yard + Tack Sale, (ends 9/24), 10 am-2 pm, Auburn
Mineral ID Day at Maine Mineral Museum + Tent Sale, (see Sun. for free entry) 10 am-3 pm, Bethel
Away: Petting Zoo, 10 am-4 pm, Longfellow Grnhse, Manchester
Fall Artisan & Vendor Fair, 10 am-4 pm, Fruit House, Auburn
Shaker Hill Apple Fest, 10 am-4 pm, Alfred
Traveling Tide Pool Friends, 10:30 am, Library, Old Orchard
2023 Latino Food Festival, 11 am, Congress St., Portland
Fall Makers Market, 11 am, Mall, Auburn
14th Family Jamboree, 11 am-3 pm, Harbor Park, Wells
End of Summer Party + Live Music, 11:30 am-11 pm, Baxter Pub, Lewiston
Pittie Posse Event, 12-3 pm, Black Dog, Portland
Punk Rock Flea Market, ($3), 12-4 pm, Geno's, Portland
Southern Maine Steampunk Fair, ($5), 12-4 pm, Brick Store Musm, Kennebunk
Oktoberfest + Costume Contest, 12-8 pm, Austin St. Brewery, Portland
Oktoberfest + Stein Hoisting Contest, 12-8 pm, Foundation, Portland
The Maine Mall Carnival, 12-11 pm, Maine Mall Rd., South Portland
Kids: Reading + Free Book, Indigo Dreaming, 1 pm, Cove St., Portland
Kids: Ratatouille, 1-2:45 pm, Library, Auburn
Music: Slane U-2 Tribute Band, 1-3 pm, Common, Westbrook
Bowdoin College Football vs Williams, 1-4 pm, Bowdoin, Brunswick
Smokey's Greater Shows Kickoff to Fall Fair, 1-10 pm, Mill Park, Augusta
Mainely Authors Talk- Adam White, 2-3:30 pm, Cape Arundel Inn, Kennebunkport
Archer & Associates Apple Festival, 2-5 pm, McDougal Orchard, Sanford
Speedway Races, ($5), 3 pm, Speedway, Wiscasset
Music: Vigorous Tenderness, Chamber Music, ($25D), 3-4:30 pm, Royal River Park, Yarmouth
Ribs-n-RnB Party, 3-7 pm, Jones Landing, Peaks Island
Saco History Walk, 3:30 pm, 742 Portland Rd., Saco
Closing Reception for Artascope Auction, 3:30-6:30 pm, Artascope Studios, Yarmouth
Crossbow Safety Course, 4:30-8 pm, Gardiner
Twilight in the Park to Remember Loved Ones, 6 pm, Deering Oaks Park, Portland
Outdoor music: Runnin' Down a Dream, 6-9 pm, Main St., Bridgton
Music: Dustin Saucier, ($5D), 6:30-8 pm, Elements, Biddeford
The Maine Stage- Burlesque, Drag, Flow, (call for paywhatucan), 7-9 pm, Mayo St. Arts, Portland
Theater: POTUS, (paywhatudecide), 7:30 pm, Mosher St., South Portland
Sunday, September 24
New Program Gives Veterans Free YMCA Membership
Free Skating Most Fridays + Sundays, 7 am-7 pm, Warren Rink, Westbrook
Audubon Field Trip to Green Point Farm, 8-11 am, Dresden
State Championship Horse Show, 8 am-Evening, Fairgrounds, Skowhegan
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation + Talk, (hybrid), 8:45 am-3 pm, State St., Portland
Cars & Coffee, 9 am-1 pm, Western Ave., South Portland
Antique Bottle Show & Sale, ($2), 9 am-2 pm, Fairgrounds, Topsham
‘Cast & Blast' Fishing & Shooting Day, (see Sat. for kids event) 9 am-3 pm, Buckfield Rd., Paris
Away: Trails End Festival, 9 am-4 pm, Millinocket
Disabled Free to Common Ground Fair, (preregister), 9 am-5 pm, Unity
Season End Car Show, 10 am-2 pm, Bentley's, Arundel
Shaker Hill Apple Fest, 10 am-3 pm, Alfred
Fall Artisan & Vendor Fair, 10 am-4 pm, Fruit House, Auburn
Away: 1st Responders + Military Free Admission Day, 10 am-5 pm, Story Land, Glen, NH
Tour of Evergreen Cemetery, (Sats + Suns), 10:30-11:45 am, Cem HQ, Portland
Merrymeeting Dog Park September Meet Up, 11 am, Maine St., Brunswick
Free Community BBQ, 11 am-12 pm, St. Michael's, Auburn
Pine State Breakerz Open Breakin’ Sessions, (age 18+), 11 am-1 pm, CBM Dance, Portland
Drag Brunch with Chartreuse Money, ($5), 11 am-3 pm, Batson River, Portland
Free Entry to Maine Mineral Museum + Tent Sale, 11 am-4 pm, Bethel
Donation-Based Fall Book & Bake Sale, 12-3 pm, Comm Ctr, New Gloucester
National Drive Electric Week, 12-4 pm, Back Cove, Portland
The Maine Mall Carnival, 12-10 pm, Maine Mall Rd., South Portland
Sudanese Music Family Show + Free Books, 1-2 pm, Mayo St. Arts, Portland
Smokey's Greater Shows Kickoff to Fall Fair, 1-6 pm, Mill Park, Augusta
Fete Market, 1-6:30 pm, Apres, Portland
Feminist Book Club Meeting, 2 pm, Moderation Brew., Brunswick
Buddhist Life Release Practice, 3:45 pm, Casco Bay Bridge, South Portland
Burgundy & Loire Valley Wine Tasting, 4-6 pm, Browne Trading Mrkt, Portland
A Night Under the Stars + Music, 4-11 pm, Luna Bar, Portland
Theater: POTUS, (paywhatudecide), 5 pm, Mosher St., South Portland
Outdoor movie: The Cat & The Canary, 6:30 pm, Congress Sq Prk, Portland
Music: Summer Send Off with 12/OC, 7 pm, Porthole, Portland
The Maine Stage- Burlesque, Drag, Flow, (call for paywhatucan), 7-9 pm, Mayo St. Arts, Portland
Virtual Events
What's Driving Anti-LGBTQ+ Fear in NH and Beyond?, 7 pm
Monday, September 25
Cumberland Fair- Military $5 Today, (+ wheelchairs & <12 free), 8 am-9 pm, Cumberland
15 Min. Reiki Sessions with Brandi, 12-2 pm, Bishop St., Portland
Kids: Homeschool Program, 1-3 pm, Comm Ctr, Bridgton
Introduction to Tractors, 3-6 pm, Pine Root Farm, Steep Falls
Tavola Italiana/Italian Conversation, 5-6:15 pm, Bowdoin, Brunswick
Music: Nagel & Burgess, 5-8 pm, Urban Farm Fermentory, Portland
How Abolitionists Used the Body to Fight Slavery, 6-7:30 pm, UNE, Portland
Alpha Portland Spirituality Conversations, 6-8 pm, Bunker Brewing, Portland
Free Bus Driving Class, 6-9 pm, MSAD #51, Cumberland/N. Yarmouth
Lithium Ion Battery Safety, 7:30-8:30 pm, Senior Ctr, Falmouth
Jenda's Movie Madness, 8 pm, Empire Live, Portland
Tuesday, September 26
Cumberland Fair- Seniors $5 Today, (+ wheelchairs, <12 free), 8 am-9 pm, Cumberland
Music: Nagel & Burgess, 12-1 pm, Urban Farm Fermentory, Portland
Bridge, ($3), 12:30 pm, Comm Ctr, Bridgton
Preserving the Harvest Workshop, 3:30-6:30 pm, Library, Lewiston
Community Kitchen Open House, 4-6 pm, Neptune Dr., Brunswick
Land Trust Happy Hour (+ free snacks), 4-7 pm, Mast Landing, South Portland
Transportation Input Open House, 4-8 pm, Rt. 1, Scarborough
Fall Slow Yoga Flow, 4:30-5:30 pm, Library, Auburn
Book talk: Directions to Myself, 6-7 pm, Bunker Brewing, Portland
Owls- Silent Hunters of the Night, 6-7 pm, Library, Topsham
Firearms Hunter Safety Class, 6-8:30 pm, Camp Ellis Rod & Gun, Biddeford
Evening w Betsy Sholl, Maine's Poet Laureate, 6:30-7:30 pm, Library, Scarborough
Journalism Is Not a Crime, 7:30-8:45 pm, Bowdoin, Brunswick
Pine State Breakerz Open Breakin’ Sessions, (age 18+), 8-9 pm, CBM Dance, Portland
Wednesday, September 27
AARP Coffee Talk + Free Coffee, Snack, 8:30 am, Happy Days, Auburn
Freeport Walks, 9-10 am, Comm Ctr, Freeport
Flu & Covid Vaccine Clinic, 10 am-1 pm, Library, Portland
Senior: Eating for Bone & Muscle Health, 10:30-11:30 am, Senior Ctr, Falmouth
Author Talk on Franco Immigrant Hardships, 11 am-1 pm, Franco Ctr, Lewiston
Women Business League Visitors Day, 12-1 pm, Saltwater Farm, Wells
Kids: Talk Like a Pirate Day, 2-4 pm, Library, Windham
Away: Behind the Scenes at a Seed Research Farm, 3-5 pm, Albion
Senior: Knitting Group, 4:30-7:30 pm, SeniorsPlus, Lewiston
Climate Tech Networking Happy Hour, 5-7 pm, Foundation, Portland
Women/Femmes/Thems Last Summer Bike Ride, 5:15-7:30 pm, Portland
Watch: Australian Football Practice, 5:30 pm, Dougherty Field, Portland
Listening Session w the Office of Cannabis Policy, 6 pm, Falmouth St., Portland
Book Reading- The Stones of Riverton, 6-7 pm, Longfellow Books, Portland
Local Artists Mixer, 6-8 pm, Olive Pit Brewing, Lisbon Falls
Henry Longfellow- Fireside Poet of Maine, 6:30 pm, Town Hall, Cumberland
Merrill Film Society- India in the Movies- Monsoon Wedding, 7 pm, Library, Yarmouth
Three European Writers Explore Armed Conflicts, 7 pm, Space, Portland
Virtual Events
Digital Marketing Best Practices, (hybrid), 12-1 pm
New England Veterans Small Business Symposium, 12:30-4 pm